Hoogly: Even media personnel are not spared in Mamata Banerjee's Bengal in the run-up to the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. On Sunday, the crew of Sangbad Pratidin, a hugely popular newspaper in Bengal was allegedly attacked. The newspaper claim, both their reporter and cameraman were not only subject to thrashing but also said that their camera was broken in Dhanekhani area which falls under the Hoogly parliamentary constituency. 

The reporter Nabyendu Hazra narrated the tale in a first-person account to the newspaper, and it made to the front page of the newspaper in Monday's edition. Hazra claims they had to hitch a ride on a tempo to save themselves. According to him, the incident took place when they tried to capture the TMC-BJP clash in the Maidupur area. The reporter also alleged that the attack was primarily perpetrated by TMC cadres who were approximately 150 in number. Not only their camera was broken but their car windshield shattered and their spectacles crushed. "In spite of repeated pleas to let us leave, they didn't allow us to. The car was attacked from both sides. Then we were beaten black and blue", writes Nabyendu.

The story on the election day was no different. The TV crew of NewsX was attacked in Barrackpore, which witnessed violence from early in the morning. In a story published by the news organisation it claimed, "Trinamool Congress goons attack NewsX crew in West Bengal, journalist sustains a head injury. Tapas Sen said that they were trying to discover the truth and kit infuriated people. Tapas has sustained head injuries, and cameraperson has also received injuries on his hand. Their car was also vandalised." The journalist has recieved five stitches, say sources.

Bengal has been part of the hall of shame this entire election season, with spiralling violence and never-ending intimidation. This, despite the fact the election commission has deployed 100% central forces in the fifth phase of the election. The first phase of the election had just 50% central force deployment. On Monday, another BJP candidate Locket Chatterjee's car was attacked even as another BJP cadre was left bloodstained after unidentified assailants attacked him.